Crossword Genius

Greasiest fop about to hold a significant birthday ceremony? (4,2,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rite of passage

'significant birthday ceremony?' is the definition.
(a milestone birthday is a rite of passage)

'greasiest fop about to hold a' is the wordplay.
'about' indicates anagramming the letters.
'to hold' indicates putting letters inside.
'greasiest'+'fop'='greasiestfop'
'greasiestfop' anagrammed gives 'riteofpassge'.
'riteofpassge' going around 'a' is 'RITE OF PASSAGE'.

(Other definitions for rite of passage that I've seen before include "Significant event during a transitional period in life" , "Very important life event" , "The Wedding, perhaps?" , "Formative experience" , "Ceremony marking a change of status" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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